TCS NQT LATEST INTERVIEW EXPERIENCE 2025 – TECHNICAL & HR INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

1. TCS NQT Online Test Structure

The TCS NQT online test is the first stage and is conducted on the TCS iON platform, either online (at home) or in-person at TCS iON Authorised Exam Centers. The test lasts 180 minutes (3 hours) and is divided into two main sections: Part A (Cognitive Skills) and Part B (Programming). Here’s the detailed breakdown:

• Part A: Cognitive Skills (135 minutes, 80 questions)
  • Numerical Ability:
    • Topics: Number Systems, Arithmetic (Percentages, Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Speed & Distance), Elementary Statistics, Data Interpretation.
    • Number of Questions: 26
    • Time: 40 minutes
    • Difficulty: Moderate to high; requires speed and accuracy.
    • Tip: Emphasize practicing quick calculations and data interpretation from platforms
  • Verbal Ability:
    • Topics: English grammar, reading comprehension, sentence completion, email writing.
    • Number of Questions: 24
    • Time: 30 minutes
    • Difficulty: Easy to moderate for those proficient in English.
    • Tip: Suggest practicing email writing (10-minute task) and comprehension passages.
  • Reasoning Ability:
    • Topics: Identifying patterns, problem-solving, figurative and factual analysis, decision-making, propositional reasoning, visual-spatial reasoning.
    • Number of Questions: 30
    • Time: 50 minutes
    • Difficulty: High; time per question is less than 2 minutes.
    • Tip: Recommend solving puzzles and reasoning questions from previous TCS NQT papers.
• Part B: Programming (60 minutes, 12 questions/tasks)
  • Programming Logic:
    • Topics: Pseudo-code, algorithms, programming constructs, basic Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), C, C++, Java basics, OOP concepts.
    • Number of Questions: 10 (MCQs)
    • Time: 15 minutes
    • Difficulty: Moderate; tests fundamental programming knowledge.
    • Tip: Highlight the importance of revising OOP concepts and basic syntax of C/C++/Java.
  • Hands-on Coding:
    • Topics: Arrays, strings, number series, conversions, sorting algorithms.
    • Number of Questions: 2 coding problems
    • Time: 45 minutes
    • Difficulty: Moderate to tough; requires practical coding skills.
    • Tip: Suggest practicing coding on platforms focusing on string manipulation and array-based problems.
• Total Questions: 92
• Total Time: 180 minutes
• Eligibility:
  • Pre-final or final-year students (BE/BTech/ME/MTech/MCA/MSc) or freshers with up to 2 years of experience.
  • Minimum 60% or equivalent CGPA throughout academics.
  • Age: 18–28 years.
  • Maximum one active backlog during registration; no backlogs at the time of joining.
• Key Notes:
  • The test is highly competitive, and performance in the Cognitive Skills section determines eligibility for Ninja interviews, while strong performance in both Cognitive and Programming sections qualifies for Digital interviews.
  • The NQT score is valid for 2 years and is recognized by over 200 companies besides TCS.
  • Candidates should practice mock tests to manage time effectively, as the aptitude sections are time-intensive.

2. Interview Rounds

After qualifying the online test, candidates proceed to the interview rounds, which typically include:

• Technical Interview (20–30 minutes for Ninja; 60–90 minutes for Digital):
  • Focuses on technical knowledge, problem-solving, and projects listed on the resume.
  • For Ninja: Emphasis on programming languages and basic computer science concepts.
  • For Digital: Includes advanced topics like Data Structures, Algorithms, Big Data, Data Science, IoT, Cloud Computing.
• Managerial Round (MR) (15–20 minutes):
  • Conducted by senior panel members; includes technical and behavioral questions to assess team fit and managerial skills.
  • Often combined with the Technical Round in a single face-to-face session.
• HR Interview (10–15 minutes):
  • Focuses on personality, communication skills, cultural fit, and career aspirations.
  • May include puzzle-based questions or general awareness queries.
• Key Notes:
  • Interviews are typically conducted via Microsoft Teams or in-person.
  • Candidates should carry their Aadhaar card for verification.
  • Results are usually declared within 1–3 weeks, and the entire process (from test to offer letter) takes about a month.

Most Asked TCS NQT Technical Interview Questions (2025)

For the technical interview, candidates should prepare thoroughly on programming basics, core computer science subjects, and projects mentioned in their resume. Below are the top 15 frequently asked technical questions, categorized by topic, based on recent experiences and sources:

Programming and Coding (Hands-on and Conceptual)

1. Write a program to reverse a string.
   • Example: Input: “Hello” → Output: “olleH”
   • Tip: Be ready to write code on paper or a shared screen. Explain the logic (e.g., using two pointers or recursion).
2. Find the maximum element in an array.
   • Example: Input: [4, 2, 9, 7, 5] → Output: 9
   • Tip: Discuss time complexity (O(n) for a single pass).
3. Write a program to check if a number is palindrome.
   • Example: Input: 121 → Output: Palindrome
   • Tip: Explain both iterative and string conversion approaches.
4. Explain and write code for binary search.
   • Tip: Clarify the need for a sorted array and discuss time complexity (O(log n)).
5. Write a program to find vowels in your name.
   • Example: Input: “Shriyansh” → Output: i, a
   • Tip: Use a loop to check each character against a vowel list.

Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)

6. Explain the four pillars of OOP (Encapsulation, Abstraction, Inheritance, Polymorphism).
   • Tip: Provide real-life examples, e.g., encapsulation as a capsule hiding medicine (data).
7. What is the difference between method overloading and method overriding?
   • Overloading: Same method name, different parameters in the same class.
   • Overriding: Subclass redefines a method from the parent class.
8. What is an abstract class, and why is it used?
   • Tip: Mention that abstract classes cannot be instantiated and are used to define common behavior.

Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA)

9. Explain the difference between an array and a linked list.
   • Array: Fixed size, contiguous memory.
   • Linked List: Dynamic size, nodes with data and pointers.
10. What is a stack and queue? Explain their applications.
    • Stack: LIFO (e.g., undo functionality).
    • Queue: FIFO (e.g., task scheduling).

Database Management Systems (DBMS)

11. What is normalization, and why is it important?
    • Tip: Explain 1NF, 2NF, 3NF with simple examples.
12. Write an SQL query to find the second-highest salary in a table.
    • Example: SELECT MAX(salary) FROM employees WHERE salary < (SELECT MAX(salary) FROM employees);

Operating Systems (OS)

13. What is paging in OS?
    • Tip: Explain how memory is divided into pages and frames for efficient management.
14. What is the difference between a process and a thread?
    • Process: Independent program with its own memory.
    • Thread: Lightweight unit within a process sharing memory.

Computer Networks

15. Explain the TCP/IP protocol.
    • Tip: Describe its layers (Application, Transport, Network, Data Link, Physical) and their roles.

• Additional Technical Topics for Digital Profiles:
  • Questions on trending technologies like Machine Learning (e.g., bias vs. variance, CNN architectures), Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, or IoT.
  • Example: “How would you determine the number of neurons in a neural network for a given dataset?”

Most Asked TCS NQT HR Interview Questions (2025)

The HR interview assesses communication skills, confidence, cultural fit, and alignment with TCS’s values. Below are the top 12 frequently asked HR questions with suggested approaches:

1. Tell me about yourself.
   • Approach: Start with your name, education, key skills, projects, and career goals. Keep it concise (1–2 minutes) and relevant to the role. Avoid overly personal details.
2. Why do you want to join TCS?
   • Approach: Highlight TCS’s global presence, innovative projects in AI, Blockchain, and IoT, and opportunities for learning and growth. Example: “TCS offers an excellent platform to work on cutting-edge technologies and grow professionally in a dynamic environment.”
3. Why should we hire you?
   • Approach: Match your skills (e.g., programming, teamwork) to the job requirements. Mention any relevant projects or internships.
4. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
   • Approach: List genuine strengths (e.g., problem-solving, adaptability) with examples. For weaknesses, mention improvable traits (e.g., “I tend to overanalyze, but I’m working on prioritizing efficiency”).
5. Are you okay with relocation?
   • Approach: Be honest but flexible. Example: “I’m open to relocation for the right opportunity, as it aligns with my career goals.”
6. What do you know about TCS?
   • Approach: Research TCS’s services (e.g., IT, consulting, analytics), recent achievements, and values like integrity and innovation.
7. How do you stay updated with the latest technologies?
   • Approach: Mention reading tech blogs, following platforms like GeeksforGeeks, or taking online courses.
8. What are your career goals?
   • Approach: Align personal goals with TCS’s opportunities, e.g., “I aim to become a proficient software engineer and contribute to innovative projects at TCS.”
9. Can you work extra hours if needed?
   • Approach: Show willingness but set realistic boundaries. Example: “I’m committed to meeting project deadlines and can put in extra effort when required.”
10. Explain any gap in your resume.
    • Approach: Be honest and positive. Example: “I took a year to upskill in [specific technology] through online courses.”
11. What is the difference between authorization and authentication?
    • Authorization: Determining what a user can access.
    • Authentication: Verifying a user’s identity.
12. Describe yourself in one sentence.
    • Approach: Example: “I’m a dedicated and quick-learning computer science graduate passionate about solving real-world problems through technology.”